Gifts Today magazine

Insider secrets at AmericasMart

Industry experts will share expertise and ideas at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market this July

Complementing its vast home, gift and rug product resources, AmericasMart® presents a long and diverse slate of special events at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® (showrooms: Tuesday, July 8 – Tuesday, July 15, 2014; temporaries: Thursday, July 10 - Monday, July 14, 2014 and Atlanta International Area Rug Market® (Wednesday, July 9 - Saturday, July 12, 2014).

The industry-leading programming features personalised presentations by thought leaders from across the design, gourmet, publishing and retail spectrum—with seminars addressing such topics as motivating millennials, modern entertaining trends, decorating tips and revenue-producing store displays.

HGTV stars, creative leaders and design giants bring their unique points-of-view to Building 1 with a series of events. Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside Out Productions presents “What Is That Designer Doing With That Rug?” as well as “Real and Artificial: The Best of Both Worlds.”

Matt Wood, creative director of Winward International, showcases classic styling of the line’s trademark blue and white accessories. John Gidding, host of HGTV’s “Curb Appeal: The Block” shares his most popular client requests for indoor and outdoor design. Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of Dwell Studio, teaches how to incorporate brand elements and signature looks in design projects. Michael Sims of Lion Ribbon and Terry Fry of Jim Marvin Ltd. share how to use ribbon and trim for holiday designs and home accessories. And, famed interior designer Stan Topol inspires designers throughout the Market with a new vignette showcasing his signature style.

The Demonstration Kitchen on Building 2, Floor 8 comes to life with cooking classes lead by stars of the local and national culinary community. Sunny Anderson of Food Network’s “The Kitchen” teaches how to create comfort meal classics with a clean twist.

Chadwick Boyd of the Lovely and Delicious blog makes vegetables the star of the party in his presentation “Entertaining with Vegetables: From Root to Stalk to Tabletop.”

Local success Sara Justice, the lead bartender at Holeman and Finch Public House, demonstrates how to lighten up cocktails, lemonades and punches for the summer. Celebrated chef and retailer Mary Moore closes out the gourmet programming with an exclusive presentation on Sunday, July 13.

Complementing the gourmet programming, Kelly Kegans, senior deputy editor of Home Design at Better Homes and Gardens Magazine presents a lively look at entertaining today in the Building 2, Floor 9 Seminar Room.

In addition to inspirational design and cuisine, AmericasMart also presents business-building classes. In an info-packed presentation designed specifically for AmericasMart exhibitors and buyers, Lisa Orrell, The Generations Relations & Leadership Expert, gives insight on how to more effectively sell to the “new” generation of consumers: the Millennials.”

The centerpiece of the July Market, AmericasMart’s ICON HONORS 2014 celebrates professional achievements of home and gift retailers, manufacturers, sales agents and service providers at the most important and anticipated night in the gift and home industry. The celebration will be Thursday, July 10 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, just blocks from AmericasMart. For more information, please visit www.AmericasMartIconHonors.com.

For a full list of Market events and more information about the July 2014 The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® and The Atlanta International Area Rug Market® please visit www.AmericasMart.com/July.